Post Time: 2025-07-18

Managing type 2 diabetes effectively requires a multifaceted approach, and at the heart of it lies the practice of regular blood glucose monitoring. For individuals living with type 2 diabetes, keeping track of blood sugar levels is not just a suggestion—it's a critical component of maintaining health and preventing complications. This process, often performed using blood glucose test strips, offers real-time insights into how diet, exercise, medication, and stress affect glucose levels. These daily readings help create informed decisions about food choices, medication adjustments, and overall lifestyle strategies.

Without regular monitoring, managing type 2 diabetes becomes a guessing game, which can lead to dangerous fluctuations in blood sugar. Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) can cause long-term damage to blood vessels and organs, increasing the risk of heart disease, stroke, nerve damage (neuropathy), kidney disease (nephropathy), and vision problems (retinopathy). Conversely, hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) can result in confusion, tremors, and even loss of consciousness. Frequent and accurate glucose checks give the individual and their healthcare provider the information necessary to make proactive and preventative adjustments to the treatment plan, minimizing risks, and ultimately improving the long term well-being.

How to Use Blood Glucose Test Strips Correctly

The accuracy and reliability of your blood glucose monitoring significantly rely on following a correct process. It’s not just about inserting a strip and reading results. Here’s a comprehensive guide on using blood glucose test strips effectively:

1. Preparation is Key:

   • Wash Hands Thoroughly: Before you start, always wash your hands with soap and warm water. Ensure they are completely dry. This minimizes contamination and ensures accurate readings.
   • Gather Supplies: Make sure you have your glucose meter, test strips, lancing device, lancets, and a sharps container if necessary. Confirm that the test strips are not expired and are from the same brand recommended for your meter.

2. Loading and Meter Settings:

   • Insert Test Strip: Carefully insert a new test strip into the meter, following the specific instructions provided with your meter. Many modern meters will power on automatically upon insertion of the strip.
   • Ensure Correct Coding: Some meters require manual coding when using a new box of test strips. If this is needed, it is very important that you make sure the code on your meter matches the code on the test strip container. Inaccurate codes can lead to false results.

3. Lancing:

   • Adjust Lancing Device: Before you poke yourself with the lancet, ensure the depth on the lancing device is appropriate. It is usually best to start low and then increase if you do not draw enough blood. Some people will find different spots to draw blood from are less painful than others, such as the sides of the fingertips.
   • Use New Lancet Each Time: Ensure that you are always using a brand-new lancet. Not only does this prevent contamination from other substances or bacteria from causing inaccurate readings, but it is also more sanitary.
   • Obtain Blood Sample: Using the lancing device, prick the side of your fingertip. If necessary, gently squeeze the finger near the puncture site to obtain the small droplet of blood needed for the test. Do not over-squeeze and do not milk the blood from your fingertip, as this can dilute the sample.

4. Applying Blood and Reading:

   • Apply Sample: Carefully touch the edge of the test strip to the blood droplet, allowing it to draw up the correct amount.
   • Wait for Results: The glucose meter will start processing, showing a countdown timer before the final blood glucose number appears on the screen. Record this number into a journal and share your results with your healthcare provider if you have any questions.

5. Proper Disposal and Storage

   • Dispose of Lancets and Test Strips: After the test is complete, ensure the used lancet is carefully disposed of in a sharps container if necessary. Discard the used test strips, preferably into a safe receptacle and clean your testing area after your check.
   • Store Test Strips Correctly: Keep test strips in their original container in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures. Exposure to excessive heat or humidity can compromise the accuracy of the strips. Check the manufacturer instructions, some need to be kept at room temperature (as recommended).

Understanding Your Blood Glucose Readings and Patterns

Simply taking blood glucose measurements isn’t sufficient; interpreting them correctly and understanding patterns over time is vital for managing type 2 diabetes. Here’s what to know:

• Target Ranges: Your healthcare provider will set specific target blood glucose ranges for you based on individual needs. Typically, this includes ranges for:
  • Fasting Blood Glucose: This is taken first thing in the morning, before eating or drinking anything.
    • For most non-pregnant adults with diabetes, this target is 80-130 mg/dL (4.4-7.2 mmol/L).
  • Postprandial (After Meals) Blood Glucose: Measured two hours after starting a meal.
    • For most non-pregnant adults with diabetes, this target is below 180 mg/dL (10.0 mmol/L).
• Factors Affecting Readings: Many factors influence blood glucose levels beyond just food intake:
  • Diet: Types and amounts of carbohydrates directly impact glucose.
  • Physical Activity: Exercise generally lowers glucose, while inactivity can elevate levels.
  • Stress: Both physical and emotional stress can increase glucose readings.
  • Medications: Insulin and other diabetes medications influence glucose levels.
  • Illness: Sickness can disrupt blood glucose control.
  • Dehydration: Lack of water can also cause a rise in blood glucose levels.
• Keeping a Log: Regularly logging your blood sugar data will allow you to understand how different activities or medications have affected your health.
  • Frequency: The frequency with which you should check your blood glucose is based on individual medical advice. Your health professional may advise more checks if you are unwell or having unusual readings. Generally speaking, those not using insulin injections or other glucose-lowering agents should be testing a few times per day, based on professional recommendation. People using insulin will often check before and after meals and activities, or based on specific medication guidelines.
  • Time: Try to be consistent when you check to ensure you are seeing the complete picture. Some medical conditions require fasting blood tests or post-prandial checks. Record this information with the data of your test.
  • Sharing with Medical Professionals:
  • Sharing your data, especially trends or concerns is a key element of your health plan.
  • You can use this information to understand how the medications are working, how different lifestyle activities impact your diabetes, and inform decision-making, or adjust any concerns with your health care team.

Troubleshooting Common Issues and Ensuring Accurate Results

Even with careful adherence to protocols, sometimes things can go wrong when using blood glucose test strips. Understanding potential issues and ways to resolve them ensures the most accurate results for your diabetes management.

• Error Messages on the Meter:

  • "E-1," "Error," or a similar message:
    • Problem: Indicates an issue with the test strip or meter itself. The test strip might be damaged, expired, or not correctly inserted. The meter might also be damaged, need new batteries or need to be cleaned to ensure accurate results.
    • Solution: Start with a new test strip. Check the expiry date and also ensure that there is not any moisture that might impact accuracy. Make sure you are following the instruction to ensure strips are inserted correctly. If it continues to give you the same error, contact your medical team or your device manufacturer.
  • Battery Symbol Low or Not Working:
    • Problem: Your meter is not working properly due to a low battery.
      • Solution: Replace the battery and try again. If it still doesn't work, you might have a device problem and need to speak to the manufacture or your medical team.

• Inconsistent or Unexpected Readings:

  • Problem: Readings that are significantly higher or lower than expected might arise.
  • Solution:
    • Review Procedure: Check every step, making sure you follow all instructions carefully. Ensure hands are dry, strips are not expired and code is accurate.
    • Test Again: Sometimes a second test on another fingertip is useful, using a new strip. The second test will highlight if a reading is accurate or not. If you keep seeing results that are unusual, speak to a medical professional.
    • Lifestyle Factors: Think about anything you may have done that was unusual that could impact your readings. An unusually large or high sugar meal can affect your blood sugar, as can exercise, being stressed, sick or not well-hydrated.
  • Monitor Trends: Sometimes, readings will be higher or lower than anticipated. Over time the trends that you track will give you much more information. Do not become stressed about individual readings.
  • Do Not Skip Medications: Your medical professional has prescribed medications as an important element of your diabetes care. Do not skip these, even if you are feeling that your levels may be adequate.

• Meter Maintenance:

  • Cleaning: Regularly clean the meter with a soft, slightly damp cloth. Make sure you are using appropriate cleaners (check with your device maker). Do not get liquid into the port where you insert the test strip.
  • Calibration: Certain meters can drift out of calibration over time. If you suspect this is the case, call the manufacture and inquire how to fix it.
  • Storage: Ensure your device and test strips are all stored correctly as outlined by your manufacture guidelines.

By understanding how to properly use and interpret readings with your blood glucose test strips, you play an active role in managing your type 2 diabetes. Regular monitoring, awareness of patterns, and seeking expert guidance when necessary will help maintain healthy blood glucose levels, minimize the risk of complications, and improve overall quality of life.